By Kelley Weiss
Kansas City, MO – The University of Missouri-Kansas City announced its plans today to develop a niche in Kansas City's growing life science research field. KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports.
- - - - -
Today UMKC announced plans to build a new life science institute that officials say will bring a unique research program to Kansas City. The institute will focus on translational research, which takes basic science discoveries and applies them towards therapeutic products and services.
UMKC Chancellor Guy Bailey says the institute will distinguish the university's research efforts in life sciences.
Guy Bailey: "Over the coming years we think it creates a niche for us that is important both within this system and within Kansas City. We think it's something that will be very important within the economic development of this city and so we're very pleased to announce it."
The university is applying for federal grants to fund the institute that would research a variety of human diseases from prenatal medicine to degenerative diseases. UMKC secured $1 million in federal funding last year for a bone trauma center and is in the process of getting another million dollars in funding pending Senate approval. The trauma center would work with the army to develop new treatments for severe bone fractures.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.